Workshop 7: Lifestyle Management 16/17 th April 2013 Antrim Coaching & Games Development Coiste Chontae Aontroma Forbatha na gCluichi

 Part 1 ◦ Dealing with teenage athletes  Part 2 ◦ Lifestyle workshop for you  Part 3 ◦ Effective Communication

Dealing with Teenage Athletes

 Physical benefits  Mental benefits  Social benefits

Reasons for Participation Self fulfillment 65.9 % Family Influence 29.4% Health and Fitness 30.6% Social reasons 25.9 % Responsilbility towards Club 23.5% Other 11.3 % Cumann Naomh Eoin Bosco Report 'Examine the reasons why there is a drop in team membership around the age of 18 and make recommendations for retaining team members'

a) Didn’t make the senior team 18.2% b) Became a University student 36.4% c) Social life 22.7% d) Loss of interest / not enjoyable 40.9% e) Injuries 13.6 % f) Working away from home 4.5% g) Different sports 4.5% h) Poor facilities 0%

 The coach(s)  Age  Sex  Peers (sporting and non- sporting)  Parents  School / college  Worries / distractions – e.g. financial, home life  Physical maturation  Emotional maturation  Focus and vision What are the actual behaviours that you commonly see?

 Mood swings/emotional/irrational  Attitude  Lack of interest /disengagement  Quietness (lack of interaction and reflection)  Not following instructions  Not engaging or buying into your programme  Lack of leadership (eg ability to lead)

As a coach always ask before reacting… 1. Is this NORMAL? 2. Is this USUAL? 3. Is this APPROPRIATE to context?

To have a positive impact on athletes the following is important: 1. The reasons why they play/are involved (MOTIVATION) 2. Awareness of things that influence young athletes 3. The Coach-Athlete relationship

Workshop: Lifestyle Management

Task:  Ask the groups to write down what they expect from each other as a Club U18 player ◦ e.g. What behaviour do they expect from each other on and off the pitch?  This will act as the contract for future behaviour. Type this up, print & ask each player to sign an individual sheet  Why – accountability, responsibility, cohesion, increase communication, leadership skills.

Layout:  Split the groups in to 4/5 players  Ask one player to be nominated the speaker and the other the writer.  Ask each group for 2 points & write these on the flipchart paper. Repeat this process until all are happy with the number of points on the board

Discuss Solutions to these challenges What choices do you have to make?

This intervention helps coaches to talk to their players in a non-threatening & comfortable environment on matters directly relating to the player’s performance.  Objective ◦ To aid in identifying an appropriate intervention ◦ To maximise the athlete's motivation and adherence to the program ◦ To monitor any changes over time  Process: ◦ Athlete to rate where he/she is right now in relation to each of the characteristics (colour in your rating) ◦ Athlete to rate where he/she ideally would like to get to by the end of the year in each characteristic (cross out xxx the marks you won’t get to e.g. ideally I would like to get to 8 – cross out 9 & 10) ◦ Pick 4 characteristics with the biggest gaps between actual & ideal & write beside it one way you are going to work on that area.

o o 8. Living Environment 1. Sport 2. Health & Well-being 3. Career & Education 4. Personal & Spiritual Growth5. Relationships, Family & Friends 6. Fun & Relaxation 7. Finances

o 8. Lifestyle 1. CONDITIONING 2. SPEED ENDURANCE 3. TECHNIQUE 4. INJURY MANAGEMENT5. TACTICAL AWARENESS 6. Competition Experience 7. Coachability

Communication

Two things are essential for good communication  relaying a message  receiving a message Some key areas of communication: ClarityLanguage Audience (eg male v female) ImpactTiming Body language LengthVoice Listening

(Para) VERBAL ◦ The actual words ◦ Feedback ◦ Tone of Voice ◦ Speed of delivery ◦ Change of tone ◦ Content amount NON VERBAL ◦ Body language ◦ Facial Expression ◦ Posture ◦ Hand Gestures ◦ Visual Feedback RECEIVING - Observe - Pay attention - Para Phrase - Provide feedback - Non- judgmental - Avoid Distractions -Adjust accordingly

1. In groups of 3, decide who is going to be the coach, parent and observer 2. Have a conversation based around trying to resolve any questions or issues the parent / coach may have

What? When? Where? How? Why?

Athlete buy in and enjoyment Dealing with emotional athletes Parental support and buy in Athlete enjoyment and reasons for participation Holding attention Ultimately… better performance

 Workshop to incorporate parents/players/coaches.  Split 3 parties into groups of 4/5 e.g. 20 players = 4 groups of 5 players.  Get everyone’s views in a comfortable environment  Great way of managing expectations of parents, players and coaches.  Get everyone on the “Same Page”  Each group’s roles are defined  NB: great opportunity to do a Player Contract, Parent Contract & Coach Contract

COACH When coaching I expect the: a) Athlete to? b) Parent to? TEENAGER When training and competing I expect the: a) Parent to? b) Coach to? PARENT When training and competing I expect the: a)Athlete to? b)Coach to?

o 8. Living Environment 1. Sport 2. Health & Well-being 3. Career & Education 4. Personal & Spiritual Growth5. Relationships, Family & Friends 6. Fun & Relaxation 7. Finances Where is my Lifestyle?

o o 8. Lifestyle 1. Conditioning 2. Speed Endurance 3. Technical 4. Injury Management5. Tactical 6. Competition 7. Coachability Where is my Performance?